We seek papers on Iran discussing nationalism, religion, or both, whether from a political, economic, ideological, or historical perspective. The Islamic Republic of Iran holds important lessons for the Middle East, for the Islamic World, and for the future of Nationalism. The Islamic Republic emerged from the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which Eric Hobsbawm memorably described as “the first major … social upheaval rejecting both the traditions of 1789 and 1917.” The extraordinary political role of Shi’a clerics in Iranian government and electoral policy make the Islamic Republic offer a unique laboratory for examining the confrontation between religious and national loyalties. The dramatic aftermath of the 2010 elections show the pressing relevance of the issues that the Iranian system of government poses. The Gulf Region, finally, remains an important global flashpoint that merits attention.

A conference will be held in Wellington on the weekend of 17-18 March 2012 (Saturday-Sunday) at the Kelburn Campus of Victoria University. We hope to publish proceedings as a themed issue of a journal, but one may present at the conference without submitting a written paper. The event will be free and open to the public. To participate: send an abstract (one paragraph/ c. 150 words) to the organizer by 10 February 2012.

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